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The growing demand of the esthetic industry has caused a shift from the luxury of soft, pampering services that “feel good” to result oriented treatments. As health, wellness and slowing down the signs of aging have become the client’s necessity, the industry is demanding a qualified esthetician to ensure effective results.

As the medical profession has come on board with new products and advanced treatments, the bar has been raised for estheticians worldwide to educate themselves and be properly prepared to reach a much broader market share.

The bar has been raised for estheticians worldwide to educate themselves.

The following questions and answers will provide insight into opportunities available for those estheticians interested in furthering their career.

What areas of esthetics are you drawn to?

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Take it upon yourself to further your development. Through continued education, I earned additional credentials that would change my position from a service provider to an educator of products and equipment and to managing educational departments and heading up curriculum development projects. The opportunity in the industry is endless. If you educate yourself, do your research and make good professional decisions, your knowledge and experience can direct you into various areas of an ever growing industry.

Ask yourself, "What areas of this industry have I not experienced?" Continue to search for more. There are people out there willing to provide you with direction in esthetics and guide your progress. Knowledge is not to be held hostage, but to be shared.

Esthetics partners with the medical field, often working with physicians, dermatologists and surgeons, so the the esthetic knowledge must be enhanced. The skills provided by the industry are a given, but advanced skills now require the esthetician to be knowledgeable in advanced skin care, breakthrough technologies and treatments. They must also be able to effectively communicate using medical terminology. Such training and determination will raise the bar in the industry. This esthetician must be able to effectively assist and direct in treatment protocols being provided and recommended to the “new educated client.” Following rules and regulations are all a part of the future for the new face of esthetics.

Working in the medical arena is one popular area that many are drawn to, but what about the other untapped markets? Esthetic instructors are always in demand. Who will train the next face of esthetics? There are also oppotunities being a buyer for a company or writing for a publication or a school's curriculum.

What transferrable skills do you have to offer?

As many in the industry come from a broad background of knowledge, this provides an opportunity to bring those skill sets with you into an arena that demands transferable knowledge. Many transferrable skills are necessary for the owning, operating, organizing, customer service, marketing and administrative opportunities that are essential to thrive in esthetics.

Take inventory of yourself and your skills. The esthetic industry is so much more than providing a service. Those looking to employ want the complete package.

Critical thinking skills

Are you providing just the basics? The critical thinker employs advanced knowledge, pushes the envelope and provides the client with an informed, educated course of action. As today’s client has the ability to also research services, providers and product, the need for the esthetician to be ahead is only to their benefit. The customer who can do it themselves, no longer needs the service provider. Do we want to be that automatic?

Customer service skills

Greet your client with a smile and a proper handshake, acknowledging them in a professional manner and maintain this professionalism.

Administrative skills

Sales skills

Be able to create a basis for business through educating the client and market for services and products. Sales are the bottom line for any business.1

Marketing skills

These skill allow the esthetician to be the business owner or assist the owner to draw in the clientele needed and maintain client retention.

Is it important to specialize in one area of the industry?

The esthetic industry is one that entails the expertise of someone who can multitask. As the demand on time, the physical nature of the job and the customer care needed are ongoing, an esthetician must be able to provide service, market themselves, educate the consumer and recommend home care advice. As many do find themselves becoming an expert in one or more areas, it is only to the advantage of the future esthetician to specialize in multiple areas.

Customer care

This aspect of esthetics is established in the first greeting a client receives. This comes in many forms, but with the esthetician, it usually is at the reception with eye contact and a firm greeting. A client wants to feel the confidence, although it may not always be there 100%.

A paid service now demands the overall experience from the front door to leaving a facility. Following proper protocols, obtaining the appropriate information and executing a treatment is the job of the experienced esthetician. The surroundings, the tone of voice, the information being shared, the recommendations and the overall comfort of one’s client will keep the client coming back for more.

Basic and advanced skin care

Skin care is the key to the industry. People are looking for a service to make them feel better, solve a proble, or prevent one from starting. Skin treatments through spas and medical clinics will be the ongoing demand. The growing aging population, which is expected to more than triple again over the next 50 years, is placing a huge burden on the health care system in many markets. The increase in chronic diseases, which represent 63% of all deaths, can also be attributed to the aging population due to more sedentary lifestyles and diet changes.2 As the daily stresses of life are ongoing for many, stress reduction treatments, relaxation, and personal time and care for the client is being sought after more and more.

Product knowledge

This knowlege is a powerful tool. With all the products available to the consumer from department stores to destination spas and medical clinics, the esthetician's job is to make sure they are providing service while recommending the proper products and how to use them correctly. Educating the client on the home care regime with these products to keep producing results while avoiding adverse reactions, is a necessity for estheticians.

Some clients have a basic knowledge, which other have an intense attention to the ingredients in skin care products. Knowing this information will allow the esthetician to cater to the client's individual skin care needs to ensure efficacy.

Where can one find additional training?

Esthetics provides opportunity for those who are eager to grow and advance their knowledge. Sharing knowledge and experience is valuable to the future esthetician. Finding a good educating system can be a challenge. An effective educator must be knowlegable in the material being provided, have the patience to share the information and the practical skill set to demonstrate the art of esthetics.

As the industry changes, there are more offerings for ongoing advanced training. Product and equipment knowledge can provide certification through company led instruction. Such provisions are made available in clinical environments and spas. Many schools offer training to develop a portfolio of credentials in areas such as laser, microdermabrasion, business management, makeup and body therapies. One can spend six months to three years to complete their full educational studies in the esthetic industry. For example, Seneca College, Bryan College and Canadian Beauty College, and Cidesco offer full diplomas as well as advanced credentials for the industry.

Continue and Grow

The industry has grown at astounding rates and satisfied a need for a market catering to women, men, children, backgrounds and opportunity. The growth and experience that comes with being an esthetician has satisfied my calling over the past 15 years, and I plan to continue to grow as a person and challenge myself to see what area of the industry needs my attention. Sharing my experience and knowledge is one way I can encourage others who may be questioning a career choice that is limitless with hard work and dedication. Together, let’s raise the bar!

Dara Cardoza holds a diploma in esthetics, which she received from Seneca College of Applied Arts and Technology in 2001. She earned a Cidesco Diploma in 2006. She has been instrumental in the curriculum development of the Medical Aesthetic Diploma program that is Ministry approved. She is currently the director of education and administrator of a private career college in Ontario, Canada since inseption of 2009.